NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) has welcomed more than 500 newly qualified nurses and midwives this month, further enhancing the health board’s ability to provide the best possible patient centred care.
In the coming weeks, this year’s graduate intake will be joining teams in all NHSGGC hospitals and in the community across all six Health and Social Care Partnerships.
This significant intake spans all fields of nursing and midwifery, reflecting NHSGGC’s continued commitment to investing in the future of its healthcare workforce and ensuring the highest possible standards of care for patients across its hospitals and community services.
NHSGGC remains dedicated to nurturing and developing its nursing and midwifery workforce through ongoing education, mentorship and professional support as they transition into practice.
Throughout this month, the new nurses and midwives are enjoying induction events, meeting their new colleagues and being introduced to their new roles.
Professor Angela Wallace, Nurse Director at NHSGGC, said: “On behalf of everyone at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, I would to welcome all our new nurses and midwives.
“I know all of them will be eager to meet their new colleagues and to settle in to their new roles, and I look forward to working alongside them as they embark on this exciting first phase of their careers.
“This latest intake is testament to NHSGGC’s commitment to ensuring services operate at the highest standard. Strengthening the workforce is a key priority for NHSGGC and our nurses and midwives are the heart of our services.
“Their skills and previous on-the-job training will undoubtedly enhance the quality of care we provide and I look forward to the positive impact they will have on the health and wellbeing of our communities.”
One person who knows better than most how this year’s new colleagues will be feeling is Leah Holmes, a nurse who joined the NHSGGC family in last year’s intake.
Leah, 24, from Glasgow, joined Older People’s Services on Wards 32, 35 and 38 at Glasgow Royal Infirmary last year, and she feels like she’s meant to be there.
“It’s challenging, but I really enjoy it. I feel like I can get into the minds of elderly people,” she said. “In fact I’ve always been like that – even when I was six or seven. I sometimes feel I can relate more to older people than other 24-year-olds.”
And Leah has a little bit of advice for this year’s newly qualified nurses – be prepared to be interrupted!
“Looking back, it’s the one tip I would really have appreciated – there are lots of demands on your time and you need to just get used to that,” she said.
“That bothered me at the beginning, but you come to realise that’s just the nature of the job – if you’re prepared for that and can carry on you’ll be completely fine. In fact it’s the variety that makes nursing so great.
“Oh, and it’s definitely worth it!”
